With the war for MMA talent heating up lately, the importance of every signing has become magnified. The UFC has captured the latest prized recruit, signing former four-time collegiate wrestling All-American and undefeated pro fighter Phil Davis to a multi-fight deal, according to his manager Chad Dubin.
"We signed him yesterday to a UFC contract and we expect to have a date for his first fight soon," Dubin wrote in an email to FanHouse.
The ex-Penn State star, who won the 197-pound NCAA National Championship in 2008 and started his pro career months later, is 4-0 in his brief stretch as a pro, and has been considered one of the sport's true blue-chip prospects since his debut.
To date, Davis has won three of his four pro bouts by stoppage.
Dubin told FanHouse that Davis expects to have a date for his first fight soon and will continue to fight at 205, which continues to be arguably the most competitive division in the UFC, populated by such stars as Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Randy Couture and Jon Jones, among others.
"[He's] too small for heavyweight and could never make 185," Dubin said. "He walks around at 220-225 with 7-8 percent body fat."
Davis compiled a 116-20 record and captured two Big Ten titles while competing for Penn State University. He currently splits his training between the Alliance Training Center in San Diego and American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif.
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